Ever been late for a presentation at work just to realize your car won’t start? Now, that’s a bummer. Sometimes, cars develop faults that are by no means the owner’s fault, but at other times, they just cannot function for lack of proper vehicle maintenance. Look at it this way, everyone eats food and takes vitamins for proper growth, and things could go south if you decide to starve or live without the right vitamins or medication. Owning a car is kind of the same.
If you want your car in the best condition, and you want to ensure your safety at all times, you’d be more interested and committed to regular vehicle maintenance. Let us show you how much of your safety is tied to the well-being of your vehicle.
- Brake Failures
If you have ever experienced brake failure, you would be more appreciative of this article. We all know brake failures could cause accidents but what we fail to often take is that such accidents include third parties who are completely ignorant of your negligence. So you would have multiple persons as casualties of a faulty brake system in one car and need even more car accident legal experts to handle the case. Before brakes fail, there are warning signs, and just like the name implies, they are meant to notify you of an impending disaster. Here are some signs you should not take lightly with regards to brake systems;
- you’d see some warning lights blinking on the dashboard
- you might hear some squeaky and grinding noises whenever you apply the brakes
- your steering might suddenly begin to vibrate, you might have your car moving to one side on its own accord
- you might have your brake fluids leaking, or you might even feel the low resistance whenever you apply the brakes.
All of these signs will inform you that something sinister is lurking around the corner, and it is best to attend to it immediately.
- Tires
Every part of a car is as important as the other, and this is because they work as a single system, all playing their part to ensure the car runs smoothly. The tires are an essential part of a vehicle as a car runs on them. So, if one or more of the tires develop a fault or problem, the whole car will be affected, and so will the occupants of the vehicle and anyone around them at that material time. For example, exposed tires often explode or burst when the car is in motion, which could be disastrous to anyone driving the car or a third party currently on the same road.
The knots on the tires could also wriggle out if not properly screwed on, and this could result in the tire falling out of the car while it is in motion. Again, this is disastrous and will only cause a lot of damage. The remedy is to pay attention to your car, so you would notice when the tires are over or under-inflated when the valves have worn out, when the knots are not screwed in right or when the tires eventually expire. All of these could be life-saving.
- Vehicle Lightings
Getting involved in a car accident because of an improper or faulty lighting system is like scoring an own goal in a soccer match. This is because vehicle lightings are probably the most stress-free and easy aspect of car maintenance. Something as small as a lack of pointers or improper use could cause an accident. Similarly, faulty brake lights or hazard lights could also be a problem as no one would know when you’re having car troubles. In many contexts, eyes are referred to as lights, and this is because they tell a person what way to go. If your headlights are bad, the chances are that you will not see an oncoming vehicle at night, and this could lead to an accident. So, even if one bulb is bad or out, the best option is to replace it.
It may seem that the only way car maintenance affects your safety is when the lack of it causes accidents. This may not be a thorough conclusion. Lack of vehicle maintenance may not cause accidents but will cause car breakdowns on the side of the road. The problem with this is that sometimes, road users may not be aware or observant to notice when to avoid a car that has broken down and may just ram into it. This still affects your safety and the people around you. Ultimately, keep your vehicle in a top-notch condition as it saves your life and the lives of others.
